Harness Design Engineer – Rocket Avionics & Flight Systems
Bay Area, California (Onsite Required)
Flight Hardware | Full Lifecycle Design | Real Missions to Orbit

We’re hiring for a space company in the Bay Area that’s building a next-gen, mobile launch vehicle. They’ve already launched to orbit, and they’re scaling up their engineering team to support the next phase of flight.

They’re looking for a Harness Design Engineer to join the Avionics team. This role focuses on designing and building the electrical harnesses that power and connect flight-critical systems across the rocket.

You’ll own your work from start to finish – from architecture and routing to component selection, testing, and troubleshooting. This is a full lifecycle role where your designs will fly.

Your Role

• Define and design complex harness systems for the rocket, from concept to launch
• Collaborate across electrical, thermal, and mechanical teams to meet tight integration needs
• Select connectors, materials, and components optimized for flight use
• Create and manage wiring diagrams, schematics, and mechanical layouts
• Support assembly, production, and first article builds of test and flight harnesses
• Perform pin-to-pin, grounding, and continuity checks
• Troubleshoot integration and production issues in a hands-on environment

✅ What You Bring

• 5+ years of professional harness design experience
• 3+ years working with mechanical design tools (NX preferred) and PLM systems
• Strong experience interpreting and creating complex wiring diagrams
• In-depth knowledge of aerospace-grade wire harness components and materials
• Comfort working in a production and test environment – hands-on and detail focused
• Familiarity with standards like IPC/WHMA-A-620, NASA-STD-8739.4/.6, or J-STD-001
• Critical thinking skills, clear technical communication, and ownership mindset

⭐ Nice to Have

• Experience with RapidHarness or similar tools
• Knowledge of high-vibration, vacuum, and redundancy-driven design environments
• Background in space or aerospace applications
• Experience designing flight hardware that’s gone to space

Why This Role Is Unique

• Your Work Will Fly: You’re designing flight-critical harnesses for real orbital missions
• Full Lifecycle Ownership: Architecture, routing, build support, and test – it’s all yours
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work directly with propulsion, structures, GNC, and more
• Startup Pace with Real Missions: A chance to move fast and make a direct impact
• Mission-Driven Team: Join a lean, skilled group of engineers focused on shipping flight hardware

If you’re a hands-on engineer who wants to see your work launch – literally – this is a great opportunity to do just that.

Apply now or message me for a confidential conversation.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Adam Slade